Jay and Livermore Falls Communities Come Together for Town Hall Meeting on Underage Drinking
April 9, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., LaFleurs Restaurant, Jay
The Healthy Community Coalition invites community members to a Town Hall Meeting on April 9, 2008 at LaFleurs Restaurant in Jay. The purpose of the meeting is to bring people together to collectively take action to address the dramatic effects of underage drinking. Parents, teachers, law enforcement officials, youth, and all community members are encouraged to attend and learn about underage drinking, and the impact that it has on us all. Participants will also develop possible ways to address this issue. The Jay and Livermore Falls communities are two of hundreds of communities nationwide that are holding Town Meetings in collaboration with the Federal Government’s Interagency Coordinating Committee for the Prevention of Underage Drinking.
Underage alcohol use is not only illegal, it’s dangerous. It increases the risk of being involved in physical or sexual assaults and can lead to risky sexual behavior. It can also lead to academic failure, illicit drug use, tobacco use, and a range of physical consequences from hangovers to death, either by alcohol poisoning or car accident. It is also a major local issue. Franklin County MYDAUS (Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey) data illustrate that underage drinking is a significant health and safety issue in Franklin County.
- 30-day alcohol use by 11th graders exceeds state average by approximately 14 percent.
- Binge drinking among 11th graders exceeds state average by approximately 10 percent.
- Franklin County students also believe that their parents have a favorable attitude toward drug use. This perception is 16.5 percent higher than the state average.
- Franklin County students also believe that laws and community norms are favorable to drug use. This attitude exceeded the state average by 8.5 percent.
The Town Meeting will feature a keynote address by First Lady Karen Baldacci, who has been instrumental in raising awareness of the effects of underage drinking both nationally and state-wide. A panel of local experts, including law enforcement and substance abuse counselors will also address the issue and recommend concrete ways to reduce underage drinking locally.
The Town Hall meeting is free and open to the public and youth as well as adults are encouraged to attend. A dessert buffet will be served. For more information contact Lisa Laflin at the Healthy Community Coalition, llaflin@fchn.org. 645-3136 x 5103. The Healthy Community Coalition is an affiliate of Franklin Community Health Network.
